Pollard smashed 102 off 70 balls as part of a blistering end to the West Indies innings alongside Darren Sammy that put the match out of the tourists' reach as they fell 42 runs short of their target of 295.

Pollard hit a six off the second ball of the final over to move on to 102 and record only a second hundred in 55 ODI appearances, but was then caught by Mike Hussey in the deep off Brett Lee's next delivery.

Even so, the hosts added 23 off the final over - with Sammy smashing a six, a four and a six after Pollard's exit - as they reached 294 for seven at the close, their highest-ever ODI total at St Lucia.

It was part of a thrilling close to the innings as the West Indies made 180 for three off the final 20 overs.

However, he did ride his luck at times. When on 81, he appeared to have been caught on the boundary by Peter Forrest, but the Australian was stumbling as he grabbed the ball, and had to toss it back in as he crossed the rope, with the umpire signalling six after a wait.

The fireworks were needed after the West Indies struggled to keep the scoreboard moving initially.

Adrian Barath did most of the early work, contributing 41 of the 56 runs on the board when he was the first man out, edging behind off Clint McKay.

Twenty-one overs had gone when Marlon Samuels followed for 11, again finding the wicketkeeper off Lee, with the score on just 83.

Johnson Charles' watchful innings ended on 37, caught at long on off Xavier Doherty and the spinner then had Dwayne Bravo trapped lbw on the next ball for a duck to leave the hosts rocking on 106 for four.

But that brought Pollard to the crease and the home side began to turn it around.

Darren Bravo added 25 and Andre Russell 34, but it was Sammy who got into the spirit of the big-hitting finish the most as he and Pollard smashed the ball around the park with abandon.

Australia lost David Warner almost immediately in their reply, the opener out for just one, but otherwise made an encouraging start as Shane Watson and Forrest had them well ahead of the required rate.

But once the wickets began to fall, the story changed. Sammy continued his heroics with the ball, removing both as Watson was caught by Kemar Roach for 28 and Forrest fell victim to an outstanding diving catch from Charles at third man to go for 24.

That left Australia on 62 for three as the complexion of the game changed swiftly. George Bailey and Mike Hussey moved the score to 111 but then departed in quick succession, with Bailey caught behind off Russell for 25 two balls before Hussey went in identical fashion two balls later for 26.

David Hussey did his best to challenge the West Indies with 57 off 54 balls, while the veteran Lee had his highest ever ODI score with 59 off 48 balls with 10 boundaries, five of them sixes.

However, tailenders were departing far too easily around him, and his was the last wicket, caught at long off off Roach with the run chase already looking well beyond Australia's reach.

The victory gives the West Indies at least a share of the series as they move 2-1 ahead with one match to play.